EDWARD BARTEL SR., of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Katherine Bartel, passed away peacefully at St. Therese Villa on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at the age of 91 years.

Besides his loving wife Katherine of 68 years, he will be greatly missed by his children: Doris (Don), Ed (d.) (Leona), Darlene (Cornell), Arnie (Bonnie), Don (Donna); 14 grandchildren and their spouses; and 24 great-grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his son Ed, grandson Gordon, great-grandson Nixon, parents and four siblings.

Edward was born to Rudolf and Berta (née Janz) Bartel in a German settlement in eastern Europe.  Edward was the fourth of five children.  He fondly remembers the German prayers and Christian songs that were sung to him by his grandmother and mother before being tucked into bed.  She taught him to pray about everything. Edward was well informed about God, Jesus, heaven, hell, eternal life, and forgiveness of sin in his early life.  He gave his life to Jesus Christ at the age of 14.

On September 30, 1948, the family boarded a ship to Canada.  Ten days later, they arrived in Quebec City Harbor and from there, travelled two weeks by train to Lethbridge, arriving on October 13, 1948.

The family attended the Coaldale M.B. Church.  Edward sang in the choir, was baptized at 17 and joined the Church.  There, he met Katherine Warkentin, who was his best friend’s sister.  Edward was smitten. After obtaining her parents’ ok, their times together became weekly visits for about 10 months. Their engagement followed on Katherine’s 21^st Birthday, with a wedding on May 6, 1956, in the large Coaldale M.B. Church with 400 attending.

Dad and Mom made their home in the Lethbridge area raising five children: Doris, Ed, Darlene, Arnie, and Don.  A year after the marriage, Dad received his Master Builders and Drafting Certificate.   Prayerfully, Dad and Mom started their own construction company, which they vigorously pursued and involved their three sons and two daughters as they grew up.  Their company built many homes in Lethbridge, Coaldale, and Taber, including commercial buildings and apartments.

While the family worked together, they also had fun boating, water skiing, snow skiing, motorcycling and extensive travelling.  It was during outdoor family activities when Dad seemed happiest and he took some crazy risks.  He would laugh off “little” accidents that would occur with us kids and say, “Don’t tell Mom!” Dad also had a great love for music, especially gospel quartets.  He taught himself to play harmonica and guitar, and because of his love of music, continued to sing in church choirs.

Grandkids began arriving in 1977, which gave Dad much enjoyment as well as the addition of great-grandkids.

In Dad’s later years, he enjoyed tinkering around the house and always had little projects on the go.  His failing health sent him into senior care at St. Therese Villa, where he ate well and made good friends.

We will always remember Dad for his love of family time, hard work, dedication to God, and church.

Dad was a loving and caring husband, father, opa and great-opa.  We are left with many fond memories and are thankful for the example we have to follow.  As a family we are thankful for your presence and support at this time of sorrow, but also of joy.

A Viewing will be held at COALDALE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH, 2114 – 18 Street, Coaldale, AB, on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 12:00 Noon, with a Funeral Service to follow at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Gary Burke officiating.

Following the Funeral Service, a private Family Interment will be held in the Coaldale Mennonite Cemetery.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2024-05-12
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta